Dr. Alto Straughn’s career in agricultural research, education, and commercial farming spans more than 50 years and has benefited both Florida agriculture and consumers.  He is among Florida’s most progressive watermelon farmers, and his work with southern highbush blueberries helped launch a $40 million-a-year industry. Born in 1934 in Walton County, Straughn grew up farming,...

Hugh English spent 35 years working for A. Duda and Sons, Inc., one of Florida’s agricultural giants.  He started with the company as a citrus grove manager and retired as a corporate vice president.  Through his work at Duda in the 1960s, English helped launch southwest Florida’s fledgling citrus industry.  He conducted pioneering research and...

Fritz Stein owns and operates a 3,300-acre cattle ranch in Highlands County and a 750-acre sugarcane farm in Palm Beach County’s Everglades Agricultural Area.  That would be enough to keep most people busy, but for Stein it is just the tip of the iceberg.  A mind-boggling array of industry groups and civic organizations benefit from...

“Pete” Clemons is a famed former rodeo star, a successful citrus grower and rancher, and the owner/operator of Florida’s premier cattle market, the Okeechobee Livestock Market.  Highly regarded for his friendliness, honesty, and genuine desire to help people, Clemons is considered by many to be the best-known and best-loved cattleman in the state. Clemons was...